The impact of traumatic events on veterans' social interactions has been well documented. Traumatic experiences such as combat or military training can lead to changes in how individuals communicate and interact socially, including their ability to maintain eye contact, express emotions, and approach others physically. This can create challenges for veterans when it comes to establishing and maintaining healthy romantic relationships or forming close friendships.
There is still much that we don't understand about why this happens, how long these effects last, and what strategies are most effective in helping veterans heal from trauma-related difficulties in their social lives. In this article, I will discuss some common ways that trauma reshapes a veteran's comfort with eye contact, emotional expression, and physical closeness, and explore potential interventions that may help address these issues.
Eye Contact
Many veterans report feeling uncomfortable making direct eye contact with others, particularly those they do not know well. This discomfort can stem from their past experience of being targeted or threatened while in combat or during other stressful situations. As a result, they may avoid looking someone in the eyes altogether or feel tense or anxious when doing so. This can make it difficult for them to connect with others emotionally and build trust, which can affect their personal and professional relationships. Some strategies that may help include practicing eye contact exercises or gradually building up exposure to more intense eye contact over time.
Therapy focused on rewiring neural pathways related to eye contact and reducing anxiety may be beneficial.
Emotional Expression
Traumatic experiences can also lead to changes in how individuals express their emotions. Veterans who have experienced combat or military training may find themselves suppressing emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, and joy out of necessity, leading to difficulty recognizing and responding appropriately to these feelings in everyday life. They may also struggle to read others' emotional cues, which can impact their ability to form meaningful connections. Strategies for helping veterans express and regulate their emotions may involve mindfulness practices, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and emotional regulation skills training.
Physical Closeness
Trauma can cause difficulties with physical closeness, including intimacy and touch. Many veterans report experiencing hypervigilance or an exaggerated startle response, making them jumpy or easily triggered by unexpected touch or proximity to others. Others may seek excessive physical closeness or avoid it entirely due to trauma-related distress. Therapists may use desensitization techniques or other approaches to help veterans feel comfortable with closer physical proximity while minimizing triggering stimuli. Building healthy romantic and platonic relationships is essential for healing from trauma, so addressing issues around comfort with closeness is crucial.
Trauma has a significant impact on how veterans interact socially and emotionally, affecting their ability to connect with others, maintain friendships, and engage in romantic relationships. While the effects of trauma on social interactions are complex and vary depending on individual experiences, there are strategies that can help individuals build new neural pathways and establish more satisfying interpersonal connections. By working together with trained mental health professionals, veterans can overcome these challenges and move towards greater well-being and fulfillment in their lives.
In what ways does trauma reshape a veteran's comfort with eye contact, emotional expression, or physical closeness?
The experience of war can have profound effects on veterans' social interactions, including their comfort level with eye contact, emotional expression, and physical closeness. Traumatic experiences may lead to changes in how individuals perceive and respond to others, which can make it challenging for them to maintain healthy relationships.